[davidgarth]

I'm a ham radio hobbyist with a special interest in emergency communications. I need a VHF/UHF ham radio in my car to be ready for an emergency. I wanted the installation to be unobtrusive and be totally reversible when I sell the car someday. With the help of a local car stereo shop, I was able to accomplish this with no visible wiring or holes drilled. My radio, a Kenwood TM-71a, has a control head that can be separated from the radio itself, so I located the main part of the radio under the trunk floor over the tire compressor. A dual band mag-mount antenna is located just forward if the trunk hatch. So far, there have been no RF interference or other probkems caused by the installation.

 

[TheBlueFlash]

Make sure you put several layers of thin plastic underneath that mag-mount antenna base. Otherwise it will scratch the hell out of the clear coat.

 

[quirkySquirt]

I would opt for non-skid mats, the kind they use on boats to prevent your bowls from sliding around.

 

[wws]

Make sure you put several layers of thin plastic underneath that mag-mount antenna base. Otherwise it will scratch the hell out of the clear coat.

Mag mounts generally have thick plastic bottoms to avoid scratches.

Nice install! (de w6ws)

 

[Cord]

I had a Radio-shack 212 for a time but the hatch back antenna mount I use on the old 1990 integra never fit right and I hate the mag mounts.

Using the clubs internet relay to the local 2 m net via a cell phone seem all wrong

Your set up looks gerat

 

[Tomt]

Nice installation. I haven't had the time yet to reinstall my setup from my Leaf in to the Volt, but yours gives me some good ideas...

73

K6TGT

 

[AE7HF]

You've mounted exactly where I want to mount on my 2017 Premier. I'm just not sure what radio.. I want the color Yaesu. I messed up and sold my ic7000. I'm not sure where to put the antenna.. nor am I sure I want to put up with the drama from being on the radio again.

73
AE7HF

 

[scoobie]

Nice! What's holding the remote head in place?

N8WVI

 

[scoobie]

davidgarth, what is holding the head unit in place?

 

[ChrisW6ATV]

Nice installation, David. I am going to put an Icom ID-880H and on-glass antenna on my 2017 Volt.

 

[Pooj]

Very neat installation! Where did you run the wire to the control head? I have the same radio and I don't have the Volt yet for another week. Waiting for the VW buyout on my diesel Jetta.
73
K1PJM
Paul

 

[geoffeg]

I too would like to know how you routed the wiring. I'll have to see if my FT-857D will fit as well as yours did, otherwise I might buy a VHF radio.

KC8FDU

 

[asakaguchi]

I'm a ham radio hobbyist with a special interest in emergency communications. I need a VHF/UHF ham radio in my car to be ready for an emergency. I wanted the installation to be unobtrusive and be totally reversible when I sell the car someday. With the help of a local car stereo shop, I was able to accomplish this with no visible wiring or holes drilled. My radio, a Kenwood TM-71a, has a control head that can be separated from the radio itself, so I located the main part of the radio under the trunk floor over the tire compressor. A dual band mag-mount antenna is located just forward if the trunk hatch. So far, there have been no RF interference or other probkems caused by the installation.

Where did you connect the power to? Directly to the rear battery?

 

[JATO757]

Awesome thread! I want to do a no-drill install for my Icom ID-5100. Hardest decisions for me are how to run the wiring and what kind of antenna to use. I'm obsessive about having nice paint, so I really don't want to use a mag mount as I've had them scratch my paint before. I'm also weary of the lip mounts as I hear they can cause dents and waves in the sheet metal. I guess my only other option would be a glass mount, but again, I hear their performance is less than stellar. Either way, great post!

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Also, ideas as to how to add a ignition switch to the radio setup would be appreciated as well.